Review: Unconditionally by Nell Iris

Author: Nell Iris

Publisher: JMS Books

Length: 50 Pages

Category: Contemporary

At a Glance: This story was cute. And, I would definitely give this author another go. In fact, I wish she would expand on this story! I would read more of these characters, for sure.

Reviewed By: Jules

Blurb: Flamboyant book café owner Luca Moretti and geeky doctor Gus Hansen have been together for six years when the Supreme Court ruling makes same-sex marriage legal in all states. On June 26, 2015, Gus gets down on one knee and Luca screams yes.

On their wedding day, shortly before the ceremony, Luca’s mother explodes in anger, calling him a freak. The reason? He’s wearing a white veil, sprinkled with crystals.

Their relationship has been strained for a long time, and her words trigger traumatic memories. Instead of walking down the aisle, Luca runs.

Away from his mother. Away from Gus.

Gus counts down the minutes when Luca’s mother comes knocking. He realizes something’s wrong, but when he goes to talk to Luca, his husband-to-be is nowhere to be found.

Can Gus find Luca in time and manage to convince him to come back and get married?

Review: Nell Iris’s Unconditionally opens with Gus and Luca’s meet-cute, which takes place at a club in 2009 and is completely adorable. It was the perfect hook to get the reader to care about these guys right off the bat. In a short story, that hook is so important. And, this one totally worked for me! I was invested from the first chapter.

Luca and Gus couldn’t be more different. But, they also couldn’t be more perfect for each other. From that first encounter, to their wedding day six years later, their affection for each other leaps off the page. I really did adore these two. Luca, with his tight pink sweaters and long hair, owns his genderfluidity. He knows who he is, and is ready to rock his custom wedding tux and the gorgeous veil he has been dying to wear for Gus…until his mom walks in and sees him.

I’m not even gonna mince words here… I hated Luca’s mom. She was AWFUL. Instead of realizing what an incredible son she had, she continually brought him down. BUT, luckily Luca found Gus. Who is completely amazing. Gus loves Luca. Period. No caveat. Without question. Unconditionally. Gus restored Luca’s faith in absolute trust and unconditional love. He knows that Gus has his back, no matter what.

This story was cute. And, I would definitely give this author another go. In fact, I wish she would expand on this story! I would read more of these characters, for sure. She did a great job of fleshing them out enough to make a fifty-page short an enjoyable read, but I would love to know even more about them. And, I’d love to know more past the epilogue! Gus’s new position sounded intriguing! 😊

If you’re in the mood for something short and sweet, I would absolutely recommend this one. You should pick it up just to read Gus’s wedding vows.

You can buy Unconditionally here:
[zilla_button url=”http://bit.ly/2uePaxn” style=”blue” size=”medium” type=”round” target=”_blank”] JMS Books [/zilla_button][zilla_button url=”http://authl.it/B06VTYC3M7?d” style=”blue” size=”medium” type=”round” target=”_blank”] Amazon [/zilla_button][zilla_button url=”http://bit.ly/2ueF2EF” style=”blue” size=”medium” type=”round” target=”_blank”] Barnes & Noble [/zilla_button][zilla_button url=”http://apple.co/2ueF933″ style=”blue” size=”medium” type=”round” target=”_blank”] iBooks [/zilla_button][zilla_button url=”http://bit.ly/2ueCYN2″ style=”blue” size=”medium” type=”round” target=”_blank”] Kobo [/zilla_button]